It is fascinating to look at all the variations among the many breeds of dogs. Many have served interesting and unusual purposes throughout history. Toy poodles, for example, have been circus performers, hand warmers, and truffle sniffers. This article will explore these many positions that toy poodles have held over the years.

Toy Poodles Join The Circus

Animals have always been a big part of what draws big crowds to a circus. Both the familiar and the fantastic serve to peak our curiosity when we head to these tents filled with wonders. Trained animals have always served to amaze spectators, and this is where toy poodles come in. They have been among the numbers of animals trained to perform tricks under the big top. Their appeal was not limited merely to tricks, however. They were often dressed up in dazzling costumes to increase their appeal. Sometimes their fur was even dyed to create even more of an impressive unique appearance. To this end, they were also given a myriad of different grooming styles and haircuts to set them apart and add to their wondrous appearance.

Toy Poodles As Hand Warmers?

It sounds odd, but during the Renaissance toy poodles were said to have served this very function. Their purpose was to rest in the large sleeves in the clothing of the nobility and to keep these wealthy hands warm. The large sleeves that were stylish at the time left room for these small dogs, and the toy poodles did the rest. Their size obviously made them an ideal choice for such an odd function. They have even been referred to as sleeve dogs at times for this very reason. Given the fact that toy poodles are so intelligent and easily trained, it is entirely possible that toy poodles served such functions.

What Do You Mean When You Say Truffle Sniffer?

Another unusual task that toy poodles were set to was truffle sniffing. Truffles were a fungus that was considered a delicacy. These small dogs were perfect for seeking out this special treat. It was their job to sniff out and dig up this fungus because of their special qualifications. Part of the reason that they were favored was that they did less damage to the truffles than a larger dog would because of their small size and, consequently, smaller paws. They were less likely to stomp the delicacy before returning it to their owners. Truffle hunting just seemed to be something that toy poodles were suited to.

Dogs have served countless roles throughout history. The toy poodle alone has been a performer in the circus, used to warm the hands of nobility, and used to track down a fungal delicacy. You probably thought they were just cute.